Shropshire fire officer Phil Brooks retired on Friday February 15th after a public service career spanning 40 years.
A district officer for north Shropshire, Phil joined Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1978 and has since worked across the county in operations, training and community fire safety.
Before becoming a firefighter he spent 10 years as a policeman in the Lancashire Constabulary and West Mercia based at Kirby and Shrewsbury.
Phil, who lives near Shrewsbury with his wife Brenda, has two Shropshire born sons, Gareth, who is a police officer in Blackburn and Ryan, a London firefighter.
"I've enjoyed the fire service. It has been great. The fire service is like a family and it will be sad to go," said Phil, who plans to spend time with his family and his newborn first grandchild Alice.
He has also just received an Open University degree in history after studying for the past five years.
